Lauryn needs our help

Lauryn was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021 after years of severe pain and searching for answers. This diagnosis, combined with her fibromyalgia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) diagnoses, has made it increasingly challenging for Lauryn to thrive as this disease becomes more and more demanding on both her body and her finances.

Lauryn's endometriosis is very aggressive and highly treatment-resistant with options including mirenas, hormone/birth control and forced menopause having all been tried and exhausted. In-depth excision surgery is the only option that can both provide relief from the pain and help to preserve her internal anatomy and fertility.

Her recent excision surgery (the cutting away of the endo cell growth/adhesions) indicated Stage 4 Severe Endo, only three months after her previous excision surgery. Her gynaecologist and excision specialist surgeon have now indicated that Lauryn will require this surgery every three months in order to attempt to restrict her aggressive endo from life-altering adhesions to other internal organs (as these could quickly lead the organs becoming collateral damage, possibly then requiring a colostomy, catheter, hysterectomy and more).

How can you help?

As you can imagine, the management of just a single disease can be overwhelming - physically, emotionally, mentally and, especially, financially - and trying to manage several diseases at the same time can be debilitating. Although Lauryn has private health insurance (years of trying to operate within the public health system has highlighted the importance of having a consistent team of medical supports for the high level of treatment required for Lauryn's endo), the costs for the two most recent surgeries have drained Lauryn's savings.

The additional associated costs have been significant - each surgery requires her to take at least two weeks of unpaid leave, purchase additional medication, pay fees for follow up appointments, etc. Lauryn also has active referrals to a Pain Specialist, Pain Psychologist, Pelvic Floor Physio, and more that she is unable to pursue due to the large gap fees for each appointment (several hundred dollars per appointment with multiple visits to each specialist required).

This disease significantly impacts Lauryn's ability to work to her full capacity in her professional field, limiting her available income opportunities.

As we’re sure you can imagine, with so many roadblocks and consistent setbacks, the thought of some relief keeps on getting pushed further and further away.

What does Lauryn need?

Lauryn is facing the prospect of needing to have excision surgery every three months (the next one will be in April 2025). With a cost of $5,000 per surgery, as well as the additional associated costs, her personal finances will take a huge hit, as well as the hit her body will take from the procedure she'll have to forego (which will likely lead to significant impact on her internal organs and their decreasing function).

Lauryn also needs to be able to access the other specialists who can provide an integrated approach to treatment and help support her body and mind as she deals with excruciating pain and decreased function.

Lauryn is astoundingly resilient - finding ways to enjoy time with her friends and family, even when she's in the midst of intense pain herself - but she is certainly struggling right now and would be grateful for any support that you are able to offer. She's still working to find a sustainable way to live with her conditions and hasn't given up but as time has passed, this has become more difficult than ever before and hence she is now is humbly asking for our help.

Every dollar is meaningful. Lauryn is intimately familiar with the current challenging economy and knows that lots of us are on tight budgets, just like her. That's why she is so very appreciative of every donation that you make to help her cover her increasingly significant medical costs.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a systemic inflammatory disease where cells similar to those that line the uterus form abnormally in other parts of the body. These cells cause inflammation, adhesions, cysts, lesions, fibrosis, and scar tissue that connects organs inappropriately and interferes with nerve clusters. Endometriosis can even grow its own nerves and blood vessels.

It's important to note that although it has been treated as such in the past, endometriosis is not a reproductive illness. Endometriosis is a full body disease, having been found on every organ and in every bodily system.

There is no cure for endometriosis. The aim of the surgery is to thoroughly and aggressively remove any existing endometriosis lesions and adhesions. The hope is that surgery will at best case, eliminate Lauryn's daily pain and symptoms. At minimum, it is hoped it will alleviate her symptoms, prevent her internal organs from being strangled and slow down the progression of the disease.

For transparency, any money raised will go towards: